Responsibility.

Speaking at the start of 2003's Child Protection Week, Larry Anthony, the federal Children and Youth Affairs Minister, said child abuse was the toughest area with which territory and state governments had to contend. But he also pointed out that it was not an issue 'owned' by governments. 'We all have a responsibility to care and protect our children and young people.'

The latest figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that substantiations of child abuse and neglect increased from 24,732 in 1999-2000 to 30,473 in 2001-02. The number of children placed in out-of-home care went from 14,078 to 18,880. Some 51% of children in out-of-home care were in foster care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were over-represented in the child-protection system (Canberra Times, 8/9/03, p.7).